Pictures of the Event:
Sept 21st Forum
On September 21st, 2007 the Fraser Health Region held a half day Regional Forum on Parental Mental Illness in Surrey, B.C. This forum was sponsored and well attended by staff from Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services, Health Promotion & Prevention, Child & Youth Mental Health, Ministry of Children & Family Development, as well as non-profit organizations and consumers.
Mark Littlefield presented information on recent Ulysses Agreement Projects and Plans he has been working on in the region. A consumer family was also interviewed on their "Lived Experience" by Mark and Dr. Robert Lees. Afterwards, the family answered questions from participants. The last part of the morning session focused on Advances in Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness: Program, Practices, Protocols, Policies and Research presented by leading international researcher, Dr. Joanne Nicholson.
Organizers recieved informal feedback from many staff in all service areas that the forum was highly informative and encouraging. Many participants requested additional resources offered to better support families and were hopeful about continuing to build on the Ulysses Agreement project plans initiated in the Fraser Region.
Dr. Nicholson later met with the Provincial Working Group on Supporting Families with Parental Mental Illness over lunch. Her return to BC to speak about the latest evidence-based practice research, willingness to share resources and support to our building international connections was again very helpful for our group.